The Image staff muses on the culture of keeping up appearances

Frugal Fashion: 'Gossip Girl's' Blake Lively in an OMG outfit

November 10, 2010 | 10:08
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Sometimes it’s hard to tell who’s who. Actress Blake Lively, who plays Serena van der Woodsen on "Gossip Girl," has all but morphed into her small screen character. I’m not talking about scandalous love affairs or making frenemies, but as far as fashion sense goes, the two seem to be one and the same.

Lively and “S” can stop traffic, look good in anything and tend to cause a paparazzi frenzy doing it. From plunging necklines and miniskirts to couture silk gowns, preppy blazers and oxfords and too many flirty party dresses to keep up with, they both perfectly balance slightly edgy statement pieces with ultra chic, upper Eastside class.

When Lively attended the launch of the new Vertu Constellation Quest phone in N.Y.C, she pulled off a stylish balancing act. If this were a "Gossip Girl" episode someone might have showed up in the same dress or on the arm of Serena’s boy toy but in real life, Lively got plenty of drama-free attention in a distressed black leather jacket, Christian Dior ruffled mini dress, black tights and black booties.

I can think of about a hundred appropriate, flattering adjectives to describe Lively’s look, but the only way to relate this outfit to a true "Gossip Girl" fan is this: Lively’s outfit is OMG, "Gossip Girl" blast worthy, I-think-she-looks-amazing-but-I’m-super-jealous-I’m-not- wearing-it cute. Sure, it’s a little neurotic sounding, but so true.

To get Lively's look you'll need a frilly dress in any bright, eye-catching color. Our frugal pick will create a "Gossip Girl" worthy look of your own. Turn some heads in this bright fuchsia colored ruffled dress from Urban Outfitters by Silence & Noise for $58.

Channel your wild side and get a little rebellious in a moto-style jacket from Forever 21. You can go with a distressed faux leather to copy Lively's look, or for a more relaxed, cleaner look, Forever 21 also has a smooth faux leather jacket. Both styles are $32.80.

The grand total before taxes is $90.80. In our frugal alternatives you can look and feel like an upper Eastside girl at across the bridge, Humphrey-esque, Brooklyn prices.

Craving more OMG "Gossip Girl" fashion? Look out for Melissa Magsaysay’s story on the "Gossip Girl" fashion phenomenon in this Sunday’s Image section.

Happy shopping.

Have an outfit you're dying to buy, but need a frugal alternative? E-mail us a picture. We're up for the challenge.